Mayfield died in 1999 and his most potent
work, as a solo artist and as a member of the Impressions, hit the streets
a couple of decades before that. This collection puts some of his most
memorable songs in the hands of remix wizards who mostly add beats so as
to bring Mayfield’s work to the dance floor. That’s what Louis Vega does
for “Superfly,” the title cut from the soundtrack to the movie that is
widely recognized as legitimizing the Blaxploitation genre of film making.
Superfly’s “Freddie’s Dead” is updated here too, done in a Euro-lounge
style by Blaze. Two songs from Mayfield’s stint with the Impressions are
included; a hip-hop version of “We’re a Winner” by Grandmaster Flash and
“People Get Ready” by StoneBridge. Mayfield’s sugary vocal style allowed
him to deliver biting social commentary without being bombastic and there
will never be an interpretation that will top that. This set does, however,
let the accustomed listener hear things in a different light and will also
hopefully encourage the uninitiated to go out and buy the man’s greatest
hits disc.